by Piper Rayne
“Seriously, I get that we were late, but we’re still customers who have Yelp at our fingertips. What is wrong with today’s youth? Don’t they care about being a good person?”
Luca opens my door and I slide in the car.
It isn’t until he’s tucked next to me with the food behind us that he responds. “Not everyone can be a paramedic and want to help people.”
There is a list of adjectives that one could use to describe Luca Bianco. On the top of that list would be self-centered.
“Hello, I’m a physical therapist. I help people too.”
The engine roars to life and he pulls away from the curb, breaking immediately when a cab flies by. Luca mumbles words I’m thinking were Italian curses and continues toward my house.
“I save lives,” he says with smug satisfaction.
“I kind of do too, you know.”
He glances over at me, his dark eyes taking me in for a moment before he responds back. “We’re talking coding in the ambulance. Rehabbing a torn ACL isn’t the same thing.”
And here I thought we could co-exist. His brothers are dating my best friends and I’m going to see him at every damn wedding, baby shower, baptism, first birthday, second birthday. My head hurts just thinking about how entwined our lives will be.
Why did I ever bid on Mauro for Maddie?
Because you’re an awesome friend who gave your bestie a chance at her dream guy?
Damn it, I hate it when my sentimental side wins.
“For your information, I’ve saved lives. I help children live a life without canes, crutches or wheelchairs. I push them to better themselves and I make miraculous things happen.” I huff, cross my legs and stare out the window.
“You’re right. What we both do is important. We shouldn’t argue.”
Wha…wha…what? “Who are you?”
The light from the street reflects the humor shining in his eyes. “I’m just sick of the fighting.”
“Fighting is what we do best. It’s basically how we communicate.” Then all the puzzle pieces join together in my head. I’m so stupid. “You want something.”
We pull up in front of my house just as I realize what a fucking moron I am.
“Nope.” He takes the keys, grabs the bag of food and gets out of the car.
He’s totally playing me. I might not be a psychologist who can quickly spot a liar, but Luca, I know too well. Not well, but when it comes to our interactions—I know him. And this nice Luca, taking me to a Hawks game, buying me dinner, wanting to eat with me…this isn’t the Luca Bianco I know.
I climb out of his car, the slam of the door echoing down the dark residential street. “Tell me what it is you want.”
His lips remain straight, not even a hint of a smile or smirk.
Another clear sign that this isn’t the Luca I know.
“Come on. Let’s eat.” He nods in the direction of my house.
“By prolonging whatever it is, you’re just pissing me off, which means if you need something, I’m more than likely going to say no. Or we could play a little game…”
“How about we eat?” He waits patiently as I insert the key into my door, disengage the alarm that Cristian, Luca’s brother insisted we get installed.
Police officers. Jeez.
We step inside and he’s the one to shut the door and flick the lock.
“Planning to have your way with me?” I’m not serious as I walk into the kitchen to grab us some drinks, utensils, and napkins.
The sound of the television blaring drifts into the kitchen seconds later.
With my hands full, I head back into the living room. “Feel free to make yourself at home,” I deadpan, handing Luca a Vitamin Water and a napkin.
“Thanks.” He lifts the napkin and drink. “And thanks.”
We sit on the couch because although our house is nice and newly redecorated thanks to Maddie’s mad skills, the family room area is small and the best place to see the television is the couch. No worries though, there’s still a cushion between us.
I open up my box of food, a little bit of steam hitting my face. “I can’t just sit here and watch soccer with you and not know what you want.”
I hate that I’ve had to resort to being sincere in my request.
He opens up his own box and I’m a tad jealous I didn’t get the burger. It smells and looks delicious.
Luca doesn’t respond, just stands and heads into the kitchen.
He knows our house way too well thanks to his brothers always suggesting we meet here when we go out.
I pop a cauliflower floret into my mouth, tasting the Korean flavor makes my mouth water. Opening up my Vitamin Water to cool my tongue, I ignore Luca’s return, instead, fixating on the television as he rounds the coffee table in front of me. The couch dips with the weight of his body which is now closer than before.
I’ve never been alone with Luca, much less this close. I feel a shift in our volatile relationship like the stillness before a storm. It’s too quiet. It’s too calm. Too…enjoyable.
“Here.” My gaze shifts from the television, although I couldn’t tell you the score of the game and I see he’s holding half his burger out to me.
“What’s this?” I ask, loading my mouth with another califloret.
Man, it’s hot.
“I think you had a little bit of drool dripping from your mouth when I opened the container. How about we share?”
He smiles. A smile I’ve only ever seen on his face with his friends, or his brothers, and especially his mom. He doesn’t even wear this smile when he’s with girls. At least not that I’ve ever seen. That fact runs around my stomach stirring up the butterflies to max flight.
I don’t like this.
It’s too damn calm.
Where are the eighty mile per hour winds?
“Luca, if you don't tell me what you want, I’m going to kick you out of my house.” I take half the burger and slide my cauliflower and fries closer to him as an offering.
“You can’t just wait?” he asks, seeming disappointed.
“HA!” I point to him with a greasy finger. “You do want something from me. Tell me what it is.”
“You’re ridiculous you know that, right? A normal person would wait.”
I shake my head. “No, they wouldn’t.”
See, this feels good. This feels right.
“LUCA!” I scream.
He blows out a breath. “Fine. I need a favor from you.”
Chapter Five
Lauren
“Figures. Being nice because you need something from me.” I nod and lean back into the couch. My appetite disappearing with my disappointment.
“It’s not a huge thing.” He also pushes his food away and lowers the volume on the television.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I’m not sure why I’m disappointed that I was right to be suspicious of him.
“It’s my ma. You know how she’s sick?” His eyes cast down, his long thin fingers entwining like a nervous teenager in his lap.
“Yeah.”
Luca’s mom has been in and out of the hospital for the past month. Vanessa told me she’s going in Monday for a surgery that they’re hoping will correct her erratic, out of rhythm heartbeat, but it’s not a sure fix. Not to mention it’s still heart surgery no matter how you cut it.
“Well.” His muscular chest fills with a huge breath and if I cared about Luca more, I’d be comforting him right now. But would he do the same for me?
I answer that question before I need another breath. He wouldn’t. Luca has hated me since the day I met Cody at the park when they were playing soccer. He saw me as a wedge in their friendship. The girl who stole his best friend’s attention away from him and anyone who knows Luca knows he thrives on attention.
“I doubt you’re going to ask me to sign up for the meal drop off. You have Maddie or Vanessa for that, so what is it?”
His eyes reach mine, the corners of his l
ips tipping up.
He’s like a different person in front of me right now. Someone I don’t recognize. Showing vulnerability isn’t something I’ve ever seen Luca do.
The fact he’s letting me in says this is more serious than a casserole delivery.
“What is it?” I sit up straighter, leaning forward.
“Ma thinks I’m a fuck up. That she didn’t raise me well. She worries about me more than my brothers. Her other sons have their shit together and I’m partying all the time. Jesus, I give their deli number to my one-night stands I don't want to contact me again.”
He cringes and his fingers thread through his short dark hair, his mocha-colored eyes unable to reach mine.
Does he actually feel repentant for something? Is that possible?
“You’re twenty-seven. I’m sure she understands,” I say, in lieu of knowing what else to say.
If anyone would’ve told me I’d be boosting Luca Bianco’s self-esteem tonight, I would have referred them to an insane asylum.
“Trust me, she doesn’t.” He shakes his head.
I bite my lip unsure what I can say to convince him otherwise. I mean, I’ve always razzed on Luca for being a playboy who would never settle down. A guy who never wants the party to end, so I’m sure he thinks I’m insincere in what I said. It’s what we do, though. We pick on one another, but now I feel bad for every jab I took at him if he was hurting this much inside because of it.
“Talk to her,” I say.
He shakes his head. “Ma’s not one for words. It’s actions. Why do you think Mauro and Cristian are moving so fast with Maddie and Vanessa? We’ve been taught that you show your love through actions, not words. Words are hollow without the conviction of change.”
“I tend to agree with her. I mean saying you love someone but putting them down doesn’t align. But you’re her son. I’m sure she understands that you’re still young.”
Seeing this man appear unsure of himself is unsettling.
“I’m one year younger than Cristian. Two than Mauro. It’s not like I’m the oops baby. Not to mention both my brothers were always looking for that perfect girl. They wanted the marriage and kids.”
“You and your brother’s didn’t come from a cookie cutter, Luca. Just because they’re that way doesn’t mean you have to be. We’re all snowflakes, unique.” I sit up feeling safer to start eating since I’m guessing Luca just needed someone to talk to. That was an easy favor, which surprises but pleases me.
And truth is, I get it. I’m not sure I’d want him to know the insecurities I hold about my family.
I bite his burger and yay, it tastes as yummy as it looked.
Tonight has been an okay night. Who would’ve thought I could enjoy time with Luca Bianco?
“I need you to pretend to be my fiancée.” His declaration comes without any warning.
I choke on the vegan burger, the ground plant or whatever it is, lodges in my throat from the gasp I made with his statement.
Luca slides closer, his hand over my chest wall and pounds my back with the heel of his hand.
The burger falls from my mouth, landing a foot in front of the coffee table.
This is a first for me.
“You okay?” He doesn’t move from next to me, his breath hitting right under my earlobe. Shivers run up my spine. He smells great and I wonder what cologne he wears because I could drown myself in it.
“I’m good.” I take another breath, sipping my Vitamin Water to make sure my throat is all clear.
“Sorry, my timing always sucks.” He lets out a strained laugh. “I don’t feel so bad asking that favor now after saving your life.”
He stands, grabs his napkin and picks up the piece of burger. I sit on the couch and he comes back with a wet paper towel removing the small stain off the rug.
“I can do that,” I say.
He looks up from his hands and knees, his usual smirk on display. “That’s okay. I get that I kind of surprised you.”
His forearms flex as he uses all his strength to get the stain out. It’s not really that bad, but I appreciate him doing it for me.
“Surprised me? You just asked me to marry you.”
I close the top of my container because my appetite has now completely vanished.
“Not a real marriage. Just an engagement.” He stands and heads back to the kitchen.
I peek at the rug and see that it looks good. Who knew Luca knew how to clean carpet?
“You say it so flippantly.” I prop my feet up on the coffee table, my vision landing on the soccer game but my mind can’t follow the ball when it’s still reeling from Luca’s request. “You’re insane.”
“Just hear me out.” He sits down next to me, even closer this time. His hands are shaky and reach out to me, but retract immediately. “It’s only until Ma’s healthy. We announce it tomorrow at our family dinner. The wedding never happens, obviously.”
“Obviously.” I sneer. “Luca, you can’t be serious?”
He slides closer, his hands going for mine but again, thinks better of it and keeps them in his own lap. “I am. I know it’s a lot to ask, so I’m fully prepared to give you something in return.”
“Oh, how nice of you. Let me guess, nightly orgasms in our bed of lies?”
He chuckles, his chin falling to his chest. “Well, I wouldn’t deny it if that’s your wish. I have a feeling you would give me a…” He stops and shakes his head. “What do you want?”
“Nothing because I’m not doing it. You might be okay deceiving your family, but I am not.” I stand because I know eventually, he’ll cross that imaginary line between us and his skin will meet mine. I’ve never touched Luca, and I don’t plan on doing it tonight.
“It’s for her own well-being. It would put Ma at peace before she’s sedated. You’re doing a good thing here. And it’s only a week at most.”
I walk in circles, around the chairs, the coffee table, diverting to the dining room and around the big table with six chairs.
“Are you short on your steps today? Trying to get your 10K in?” he asks, his elbows leaning on his toned thighs.
I stop just to give him a ‘fuck off’ expression then continue walking.
“You don’t pace like a normal person,” he says.
I don’t respond.
“I kind of like that Hunt. It’s endearing.”
“Maybe you should put that in the fake marriage proposal. She had me when she walked in figure eights instead of a straight line when she was nervous.”
“You’re nervous? Why?”
“I think I need to remind you of something.” I stop behind the chair, my hands gripping the top of the cushioned back.
“What?” His smirk and arrogant demeanor is back on full display now.
“That you hate me!”
“I don’t hate you.” His forehead crinkles and the confusion in his eyes almost makes me believe him. Almost.
I tilt my head and a deep chuckle rumbles out of his throat.
“Okay, okay. Maybe I haven’t been your biggest fan a few times, but I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.” There’s a truth in his dark pupils. A truth that scares me.
“Give me one good reason why I should do this?” I round the chair and flop down, pulling my knees up to my chest.
“Don’t do it for me. Do it for my ma. She needs to know that she did a great job at raising all her boys. She needs to be in a good headspace before she’s put under because God forbid…”
Silence hangs thick and heavy over us. Genuine fear radiates off him and I realize how shaken he is by what’s going on with his mom.
“It’s a pretty easy surgery, right? I mean as far as surgery goes?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he says, then clears this throat. “But she still has to go under anesthetic. That’s a big risk right there. Besides, do you know how many people I’ve had in the back of my ambulance who should’ve made it and didn’t? That’s all I can think about—all those patient
s I thought for sure would be fine who I found out later didn’t make it because they had complications.”
I blow out a stream of air, picking at my nails. “I don’t know.”
“I just want Ma in the best possible frame of mind going into her surgery. She doesn’t need to be stressed and wondering about what I’m going to do with my life if something happens to her.”
I want to help him, I do. I like his ma and it’s clear that he really does just want what’s best for his mom.
“I overheard Ma talking to Cristian about how worried she is about me and where I am in my life. You have no idea how much that stung. I don’t want her going into this stressed an worrying about what will happen to me. God forbid, if something did happen,” he pauses and swallows hard, removing his gaze from mine. “At least she’d go in peace.”
“Luca…” I whisper, a heavy feeling pressing down on my chest.
“I’ll give you anything. What do you want?” he asks, a clear desperation in his tone.
“I don’t know. I just don't like the whole idea of lying.”
One thing I won’t mention to Luca is that I never imagined my marriage proposal to be ‘Can you do me a favor and pretend to marry me?’ I might not be Maddie who had her Barbies marrying each other every day, but I did envision this moment to be with a man who couldn’t live another moment without knowing I was his. But it’s not like Luca is asking me to actually walk down the aisle with him. It’s a ruse, that’s all.
He stands from the couch, walks over and falls to his knees in front of me, pulling a ring out of his pocket.
“Lauren Hunt.”
“Oh my God, stop.” I raise my hand at him to quit before he says anything else.
Instead, he grabs my hand, the tip of my ring finger on my left hand clasped between his thumb and forefinger.
“You got a ring?” I screech.
“We’re not doing this halfway. My family will never believe it if you don’t have a ring. I know you think I’m a douche but—”
“Luca, just stop.” I pull my hand away from him, covering my face with both my hands. “I need to think.”
His phone vibrates in his pocket, but he doesn’t answer it.